Brian Clough died from stomach cancer in September

Campaigners are hoping to raise �40,000 for a statue of the former player and manager by the end of the year.

Middlesbrough fans are behind the plan, which follows the recent death of the 69-year-old from stomach cancer.

Any statue is likely to be erected outside Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium or in Albert Park, close to where Clough lived in the town.

Middlesbrough Council officials and club bosses were discussing options for the project with fans on Thursday.

Rob Nichols, the editor of Boro fanzine, Fly Me To The Moon, said: "My view is that the statue should be of a young Brian Clough in Albert Park, where he can be pointing to the club's former home at Ayresome Park.

"People still remember him in his Boro blazer walking to work across Albert Park on a morning from his home.

'Absolute one-off'

"Those were different days, when the manager and the public would walk along together and not arrive in flash cars.

"People have spoken and said they want a statue so it's up to us, the club and the council to work it out."

Stuart Bargewell, chairman of the official supporters' club, added: "He was an absolute one-off and epitomised Middlesbrough people by being tough and getting the job done."

Clough, who had a liver transplant in January 2003, was a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

He led both Derby County and Nottingham Forest to league championships and won two European Cups with the Nottingham club in 1979-80.

Clough won two England caps and scored 251 goals in 274 games as a striker for Middlesbrough and Sunderland.